James Archer (Jesuit) facts for kids

James Archer (1550–1620) was an Irish Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He played an important and sometimes debated role during the Nine Years War in Ireland. This war was a fight against the rule of Queen Elizabeth I and her efforts to change the religion in Ireland.

During the late 1500s, James Archer became a target of English government propaganda, which often spread negative stories about Catholics. However, one of his most lasting achievements was helping to set up and strengthen the Irish Colleges across Catholic Europe. These colleges were important schools for Irish students during a time of big religious changes called the Counter-Reformation.

Early Life and Education

James Archer came from an Anglo-Norman family in County Kilkenny, Ireland. He might have gone to Kilkenny College, a local school founded in 1555. Around 1564, he joined the seminary college in Louvain, which was a school for training priests. People later described him as a tall man with dark hair and a long, thin face.

Mission in Ireland

After finishing his studies, Father Archer earned a Master of Arts degree. He returned to Ireland in March 1577. Soon after, his presence in places like Waterford and Clonmel was reported to Queen Elizabeth's secretary. The report called him an "enemy to the Word of God," showing how much the English government disliked Catholic priests at that time.

In 1579, a rebel named James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald landed in Ireland with a force supported by the Pope. It's thought that Archer might have joined these forces. Later, Archer was said to have been with another rebel, Conor O'Rourke, just before O'Rourke was executed.

Joining the Jesuits

In 1581, Archer became a novice (a new member) of the Society of Jesus in Rome. He then spent about two and a half years studying different subjects at the Roman College. A report from 1584 said he was physically strong but sometimes moody. It also mentioned he was good at hearing confessions.

In 1585, Archer was sent to the University of Pont-à-Mousson. Here, he continued his studies and helped students. A report from 1587 suggested he would be a good preacher in Ireland.

Time in the Low Countries

In 1587, Archer went to the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and Netherlands). He served as a chaplain for Spanish soldiers during the war between England and Spain. He spent his time hearing confessions from Irish soldiers who had joined the Spanish side. There was hope for a Spanish invasion of England, but this plan failed when the Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588.

Archer continued to follow the Irish regiment in the Spanish army. By 1591, he was in Brussels, recovering from an illness. His superiors still thought he was of average ability, but they saw his dedication. The Archbishop of Armagh then asked for Archer to join a Jesuit mission back in Ireland.

Leading the Irish College in Salamanca

Father Archer stayed in the Low Countries for a while before sailing to Spain. There, he became the first leader (rector) of the Irish College at Salamanca. He often visited the court of King Philip II to get money for the college. By this time, his superiors had a much better opinion of him and thought he was ready for more important roles.

Accusations and Royal Plots

In 1594, James Archer faced serious accusations. It was claimed that two years earlier, he had been involved in a plan with other Jesuits to harm Queen Elizabeth I. The person supposedly chosen for this task was Hugh Cahill, who later confessed under harsh questioning. More information came from an agent of Robert Cecil, a key advisor to the queen. Archer was also accused of plotting to burn French and English ships.

It's hard to know if these accusations were true. Many plots against the queen were reported during her last years. Some people believe these stories were spread as propaganda, especially after a book about who might succeed the queen was published. These accusations were part of a time when there was a lot of fear and suspicion about Catholics in England.

Return to Ireland

In 1596, Archer returned to Ireland, landing in the southeast. His goal was to restart the Jesuit mission there and raise money for the college in Salamanca. His visit turned into a four-year stay, and he was soon made the leader of the new mission. The English government saw him as a threat and offered a reward for his capture.

By August 1598, Archer had moved north to Ulster. He joined the rebels during the most active part of the Nine Years War. After the English lost the battle of the Yellow Ford that year, Archer decided to fully support Hugh O'Neill, a powerful Irish leader.

During the rest of the war, many stories were told about Archer. English officers called him names like the "arch traitor." He was certainly present when the Earl of Ormond, a very powerful nobleman, was captured in 1599. The Earl was held for a long time, and Archer visited him regularly. This happened when the English rule in Ireland was in danger.

The capture of Ormond was blamed on Archer's influence. When Ormond was released, he called Archer an "odious traitor." However, some people think Ormond might have secretly been involved in his own capture to protect his power. One story even claims Ormond became Catholic during his captivity. This event is still a mystery.

Spanish Help for Ireland

In October 1599, Archer left Ireland and went to Rome. He acted as a representative for O'Neill. Plans for a Spanish military expedition to Ireland gained attention. In early 1601, King Philip III decided to send an armada with 6,000 soldiers.

Archer arrived in Spain and helped with the plans for the Irish expedition. He suggested landing in Munster (in the south of Ireland). The Spanish commander, Juan del Águila, wanted to land in Ulster (in the north). They eventually agreed on a compromise landing spot.

In September, Archer sailed with the armada, which carried over 4,500 soldiers. They were headed for Kinsale in the very south of Ireland.

The Battle of Kinsale

When Father Archer and Juan del Aguila arrived in Munster in September 1601, they found that the area was under English control. This was because important local leaders had been captured.

The Spanish forces occupied the town of Kinsale. Soon, the English army surrounded Kinsale in a siege that lasted three months. To help the Spanish, the Irish leaders Aodh Mór Ó Néill and Red Hugh O'Donnell marched their armies across Ireland in harsh winter conditions. However, they were badly defeated by the English cavalry in December at the battle of Kinsale. Juan del Aguila then surrendered Kinsale and returned to Spain.

Father Archer was very upset. He accused the Spanish commander of being a coward and not listening to the Irish leaders. Archer wanted more Spanish help, so he left Kinsale and joined the forces of Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare, who continued to fight.

English officials like Sir George Carew were very worried about Archer. Carew wrote that Archer was "conjuring the foul weather" and hoped to capture him. Archer sailed to Spain on July 6, 1602, to report on the situation in Ireland and ask for more help.

In Spain, Archer spoke out against Juan del Aguila. The commander, in turn, argued against sending more aid to the Irish. He even presented a fake letter, supposedly from Archer, asking for a pardon from Queen Elizabeth. The arguments continued, but by March 1603, Father Archer seemed to be believed, and del Aguila was placed under house arrest.

Archer still hoped for more help, but after Queen Elizabeth died in March 1603, Aodh Mór Ó Néill surrendered. With King James I on the English throne, peace was made between England and Spain. Father Archer tried many times to return to Ireland, but he spent the rest of his life as an exile in Catholic Europe.

Work with the Irish Colleges

Father Archer was given an important job by the Jesuit leader: to help coordinate the work of the Irish colleges in Spain and Portugal. At the Irish College at Salamanca, there were claims that the Jesuits were treating students from different parts of Ireland unfairly. Archer stepped in and asked the king for better protection for students from Irish-speaking areas, and his wish was granted. In 1610, the Irish College at Salamanca became a Royal College.

Archer spent a lot of time at court, working to support these schools. He believed that if they didn't use the opportunity to train priests, they wouldn't achieve anything great.

Later Life and Passing

Archer began to have health problems in 1608. Not much is known about him until 1613, when he spent two months in Bordeaux on college business. He was respected for his strong religious devotion.

In 1615, Archer again asked to return to Ireland, but his request was denied. He spent his final years in Santiago de Compostella, helping the students there. He passed away on February 15, 1620, at the Irish college.

Legacy and Impact

James Archer became well-known for his part in the uprising of the Irish clans during the Nine Years' War. However, his most important achievement was probably helping to establish the Irish Colleges. These colleges grew stronger over the centuries and played a huge role in training priests and supporting the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation.

Folklore

• According to historian Tony Nugent, Father James Archer and Brother Dominic Collins are linked in local Irish folklore to a special rock. This rock is in a mountain pass between Kenmare, County Kerry and Bantry, County Cork. It's called Léim an tSagairt in Irish, which means "The Priest's Leap." The story says that Father Archer, Brother Dominic, or both, made an enormous leap on horseback from this rock to escape English soldiers. A metal cross now marks the spot.

Sources

• McCoog, Thomas M. SJ The Society of Jesus in Ireland, Scotland and England 1598-1606 Leiden 2017
• Thomas Morrissey S.J., James Archer of Kilkenny: an Elizabethan Jesuit (Dublin, 1979) ISBN: 0-906665-01-9